Holy Labor

There is really nothing like being at a birth! I always talk about being on the “birth high” afterward for dayyyys. Such a giddy feeling after experiencing new life coming into the world! Maybe it’s just a sprinkle of adrenaline as well. And then you see a couple invite a new member into their family. It’s an honor and a gift to be there.

But I also enjoy it so much because of God’s glory just walking into that room!! Seeing life brought into the world is a miracle and I only want to see it as such. I see God’s heart in the process of suffering and submission in labor.

Jesus suffered on the cross. The suffering was excruciating, yet incredible new life came as a result of his suffering. When we suffer, Jesus suffers alongside us. In his suffering, Jesus had to submit - he asked the Father to take his suffering away, but he needed to make it through to bring about God’s redemptive plan.

There is suffering in birth! There is pain and we can’t run from it. But we can submit as Jesus did. I think submission is one of the biggest “tips” for birth. The pain that is endured is good pain that brings forth new life. Some of the most beautiful moments I have seen in birth is when the woman is so clearly reminding herself of how Christ has suffered alongside us.

I think you can see that this is one of my favorite topics ever!! When I came across a book that talked about the theology of labor, I grabbed a hot cup of tea and read the book in one sitting!! I know that a book about this might not be everyone's favorite thing, but I really enjoyed it and found it to be super empowering! The author talks so much about suffering, submission, and good pain and how that connects to Christ’s suffering.

“I experienced pain during the birth, but it was not unbearable or pointless. I didn’t feel the pain as suffering from a curse but as a joyful, trusting, will for submission to my loving creator's design. I did not feel fear but a peace that passes understanding”. (Smith, Aubry. Holy Labor: How Childbirth Shapes a Woman's Soul).

If this topic is up your alley, I would definitely encourage you to read it! At the end of every chapter there are spiritual disciplines or meditations in preparation for birth… and don’t we all need that as fear and anxiety can so easily consume us!! 

Praise God that his pleasure in us does not depend on our birth performance, BUT praise God that we are invited into holy suffering.